IOC pins future of wrestling

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BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) - The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee may have pinned the future of wrestling. This surprise decision by the board, recommends removing wrestling from the 2020 games.

Surprising, because wrestling is one of the oldest sports, and dates back to the ancient Olympic Games. Boise State's wrestlers and coaches say they're sport isn't going down without a fight.

"I Think wrestling has made me a better person, and if you take stuff like that away, then what are you replacing it with?," asked former Boise State wrestler Andrew Hochstrasser.

"Everybody is very very concerned, but everybody is also trying to keep a positive state of mind in that, while this has been passed by the Executive board of the IOC, it still has to be approved by the entire group," said Dave Bennett, a Boise State volunteer assistant coach and developmental coach with USA Wrestling.

"Well, the good part of it is, this is going to be world wide, it's not just an american fight ... and I believe that each country, even the smallest of counties have some form of wrestling, and hopefully the IOC will look up and say, 'Wow, what'd we do?'" added Boise State head coach Greg Randall.

The IOC will make their final decision at the general assembly in September. Wrestling's international governing body, known as FILA, and USA Wrestling have already started planning their defense.